High School Explainer

Exploratorium • Part-time • Hybrid in San Francisco, California, United States • $19 / hour • 4d ago

Fast Facts

The High School Explainer position at the Exploratorium is a paid opportunity for high school students to engage with museum visitors, facilitate scientific demonstrations, and develop essential communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities: High School Explainers are responsible for engaging with museum visitors, conducting demonstrations, overseeing activities on the exhibit floor, and monitoring exhibits for proper operation, while also assisting visitors.

Skills: Candidates should demonstrate strong communication skills, an ability to work with the public, and a passion for science and learning.

Qualifications: Must be a high school student aged 15-20, able to obtain a valid work permit, and willing to attend mandatory training sessions and work 2-3 days per week during the summer.

Location: This position is based in San Francisco, CA.

Compensation: $19 - $19 / Hourly

SUMMARY

The High School Explainer Program at the Exploratorium is a flagship youth program at the museum that offers a unique work-based educational enrichment program for high school and early college students. Explainers work on the museum floor with visitors, exploring hands-on exhibits, facilitating demonstrations, answering questions, and tending to other duties. Explainers observe and explore their own learning processes as they are introduced to broad concepts in a range of scientific disciplines. While they provide a valuable service to the Exploratorium and its visitors, Explainers cultivate their own communication and leadership skills, expand on their scientific knowledge, and learn from each other via peer mentorship.

High School Explainers report to the managers of the program. This is a paid position at $19.18/hour.

Mandatory training for first-time High School Explainer program participants will be held on June 7, 10, 11, 12, from 12:00 pm - 5:30 pm.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Participate in up to 60 hours of training. Topics include: working with the public, conducting informal conversations with visitors, sharing information with visitors at exhibits, gaining an understanding of informal methods of learning as they relate to science, and other activities as required.
Monitor museum for daily operations: prepare demonstration station areas, prepare galleries, move exhibits and stools to proper locations for opening, and assist staff during emergency procedures.
Greet and orient individual visitors and groups.
Oversee activity on the exhibit floor.
Serve as a guide or facilitator to enrich the museum experience and initiate visitor engagement.
Perform scientific demonstrations and engage visitors in the process.
Assist visitors with special needs throughout the museum when requested.
Monitor museum exhibits to be sure that they are in proper working order. Troubleshoot, report malfunctioning exhibits, and perform minimal exhibit maintenance as instructed.
Handle visitors’ lost items and respond when children become separated from their parents or groups; provide assistance to reunite families and field trip groups.
Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must be high school aged students (including students in traditional and alternate post-high school programs – between the ages of 15 and 18 for first time Explainers, and up to the age of 20 for returning Explainers)
Must be able to obtain a valid work permit
Must be able to attend all basic training dates above
Explainers are expected to work 2-3 days a week (9:30 am -5:30 pm) from June 16-August 16 and 1 weekend day from August 17-September 6.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

This position is open until filled

HOW TO APPLY

This is a part-time, non-exempt, temporary position (13-19 hours a week). This is a paid position at $19.18/hour. This position is expected to begin on June 16, 2026, and conclude on September 6, 2026. When applying, please be ready to share your experience, your qualifications, the reasons why you are interested in the position, your contact information, and your daily availability.Please, no phone calls in regards to this job. To apply, please visit the Exploratorium job page. When applying, please be ready to share your experience, your qualifications, the reasons why you are interested in the position, your contact information, and your daily availability.

If you have questions about the position please contact: hsesupervisors@exploratorium.edu or call 415-528-4898

The Exploratorium is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and values diversity, inclusion and respect. We welcome and strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

Exploratorium

Piers 15/17, San Francisco, CA 94111

Website: https://www.exploratorium.edu/about/jobs. No phone calls, please

The Exploratorium is committed to an inclusive workforce.